Motion picture film developing apparatus



O. G. GEESE MOTION PICTURE FILM DEVELOPING APPARATUS Sept. 9, 1941.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. '7. 1959 HH gu HIFI H Hull H Illlllll H ll ll ll Il ll Il ll Il H II Il VII HIIII Sept 9, 1941. o. G. @IESE 2,255,037

MOTION PICTURE FILM DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 7, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 9, 1941 UNHTED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOTIN PCTURE FILM DEVELOPING APPARATUS 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a motion picture film developing apparatus.

I-Ieretofore, various types of film developing apparatus Ihave been proposed and each of which required a large amount of developing and fixing chemicals to be used in order to have a suiiicient amount of solution to submerge the film, and in many of which apparatus, the iilm is passed through at a constant speed for developing the same Without regard to the exposure time of the film in the solution, and the results are not quite as good as when the nlm is checked during its developing process for a greater or lesser time of exposure to the chemicals of the solution.

Further, the film is handled and rehandled in subjecting it to the Various solutions and also to the Washing and drying process, endangering the film by twisting, bending or cracking the same While it is transported to be placed into the various baths through which it is processed, and finally, the danger of scraping or otherwise bruising the film surface when suspending the same to be dried.

It is an object oi the present invention to overcome the above objection, and the invention contemplates the use of a frame on which the film is coiled consecutively in a manner to expose the entire surface of the film. After the lm has been coiled on the frame, the frame itself being of flexible material is then bodily curved to form a circular member and the adjacent abutting ends of the frame are then attached, which forms the frame and film into a cylinder. This cylinder is then positioned on a carrying drum, and when so positioned, the film is in spaced relation with the annular side wall of the drum, so as to permit of the free iioW of the solution around the film. The carrying drum which is provided with a handle for manually gripping the same, is then bodily placed with the film thereon into a container which has a sufficient amount of solution therein so as to fully immerse the film, and the positioning of the carrying drum in the container will agitate the solution to keep the chemicals therein properly mixed.

After the proper exposure of the film to the solution, the solution may be poured out of the container while the carrying drum remains therein, or the carrying drum and lm may be bodily removed and placed into another like container for the next operation. Whether the carrying .drum and film remain in the same container or .are placed in another container, the Washing process is identical. The cover of the container is set in position to completely close the container and enclose the carrying drum and film and a hose is then attached to a tube that extends the entire length of and through the bottom of the carrying drum for directing Water to the bottom of the container. The Water rises in the space between the drum and container to immerse the film and is fed into the container with suiiicient force to have constant motion to thoroughly wash the nlm, and in order to permit of the circulation of fresh Water, the upper portion of the container is provided with apertures on opposed sides thereof which serve as overflow means for maintaining a constant level and to exhaust the surplus of water.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a flexible frame on which the film is Wound, and on Which it remains. during all of its processes of developing and drying, and when removed, is in complete form for projecting purposes.

Another object is the provision of means applicable to the frame whereby a plurality of films may be Wound on vthe same frame and developed and dried simultaneously.

A further object is the provision of adjustable film spacing means on the film carrying frame to accommodate for Various sizes of films.

Other and further objects will become apparent from the ensuing description and the preferred embodiment of Which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the film carrying frame.

Figure 2 is a small diagrammatical View of a manually operated winding device on which the film carrying frame is positioned While winding the lm.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of a film carrying frame bent or coiled to form a cylinder after the nlm is placed thereon.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view in side elevation of a portion of the lm carrying frame, illustrating the film spacing means there- Figure 5 is a cross sectional View taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 6--6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view in side elevation of the connecting means for the abutting ends of the iilm carrying frame.

Figure 8 is a top plan View of the carrying drum with the film carrying frame in position thereon, shown in dotted lines.

Figure 9 is a medial sectional view of the carrydrum.

Figure 10 is a. medial sectional view of the container and carrying drum positioned therein.

Figure l1 is an enlarged detail sectional view illustrating a,V resilient or yieldable film carrying frame.

Figure 12 illustrates an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of the means employed with the film carrying frame for supporting a plurality of films thereon.

Figure 13 is an enlarged detail sectional view,

illustrating the means employed for mounting a plurality of films on the carrying frame; and

Figure 14 is a modified form of carrying drum.

A developing device of the type illustrated may be used in the home, for commercial use, o r in distant places Where climatic conditions may make it necessary for the iilm to be developed soon after its exposure. v

In illustrating the invention, the lm carrying frame I5 consists of two flexible tubular members IS-II, respectively, which are retained in parallel spaced relation by means of relatively thin strap members I2. The strap members I8 are each provided with a coil Iii-I9 near each end thereof and with relatively short integral outwardly projecting ends 2li-2i), Figs. 4 and 5. The coil portions I9 receive one or the other of the tubular members I5 or I'I, and these coils afford sufficient resistance to secure the strap members I8 in position on the tubular members. The strap members are spaced a suflicient distance apart so as to receive the largest width of film therebetween and the tubular members also carry manually adjustable strap members 2l arranged between each pair of strap members I8 so as to OIm meal-1S OI Spacing a smaller Width of iilm on the same carrying frame. The strap members 2l are each provided with a loop 22, which encircle the tubular ,membeig and which loops retainthe members 2| adjustably positioned with respect to their sidewise movement, and for a rotary movement on Vthe tubular member for positioning the end 23 of thestrap member 2I into or out of` engagement lwith the lm, as indicated'in dotted lines Figs/i and 6. These strap members 2lA whenl properly positioned on the tubular members I5 or Il,4 provide the required space for the narrower widths o f films.

In applying the iilm to the carrying frame I5,l the frame is bodily positioned on a manually 'op'- Tera'ted winding device 2li, Fig. 2, by inserting a pair of rods 25--26 thereoi` into the tubular members 'l5 and VI, respectively, 'and which rods `sup port Vthe I'ilm carrying frame I5 to be bodily turned by the handle 21. The iilm A is then introduced, and its free end is attached in 'anysutablemanner to one end of one 'of the tubular membersV I6 or I'I Vand the handle 21 is manually gripped to turn the film carrying frame. The turning of the Viilrn carrying frame I5 causes the film to ,be wound thereon, and while winding the same, the film is manually guided so as to be coiled the entire length of the frame .or until the As the lm is coiled consecutively on the frame I, it will be noted that an easy ilexing .of the tubular members I6 and I'I may be had without distorting, bending or otherwise mutilating the film.

The carrying frame I5 is then bodily placed over a carrying drum 2S, and as the lilm A is wound on the upper and lower tubular members I6--I'I of the lm carrying frame I5, it surrounds the carrying drum 29 and is in spaced relation with the side wall S thereof, providing a space therebetween.

When the film carrying frame I5 and lm A are in position on the carrying drum 29, the projecting ends 2) of the strap members I8 will rest upon a base 3l of the carrying drum 29. The base 3I is provided on its top surface with an annular groove 32 which is spaced outwardly of the side wall 3i] of the drum, and it is in this annular groove 32 that the projecting ends 20 of the straps i8 rest and retain the `film carrying frame i5 in spaced relation with the side wall of Y the drum.

The' carrying drum 29 is provided at its top portion with a transversely extending member 33, forming a handle lto be manually .grippedto carry the drum, and this transverse member 33 also serves torsupport the upper `end of a tube 34 Vwhich extends longitudinally and centrally of Ythe carrying drum and Ythrough the base 3I thereof.

After the lm and frame' have been .positioned on the carrying drum, the 'handle 33 is manually gripped andthe carrying drum is bodily placed witiliin'a container 35 which has 'a certain amount of developing solution therein and when the carrying drum is placed into the container 35, it displaces the solution therein to cause the same t0 rise in the container on the outer'side of wall 38 of the carrying 'drum 29 to immerse the lm. The positioning of the Ycarrying Vdrum inthe container serves also to agitate thesolution and to keep it properly mixed, so that a perfect develop'- ing of the iilm will be had.

After the film has been 'exposed to the solution in the Vcontainer 35 for the proper length of time 'in accordance with Ythe kind Vof film being developed', the handle 33 cf the carrying drum may again be gripped and the drum removed to in'- spect the film preparatory to the washing process, or to be replaced within the container for further developing. `'During the developing operation, a cover ,35 may be placed on the container to enclose 4the same and seal the light from the ffllm and the cover may also serve for preventing the solution from being exposed to the elements and preventing the deposits .of dirt and other foreign substances in the solution when the device is notf in use. l

After the film ihas been properly exposed to the developing solution, the solution may be poured out of the container A35 `while the 'carrying drum and iilm are in position, or the 'carryingY drum may be bodily removed and placed into a like container for the washing process. Whether the same container or another container vis used for the washing process 'of the film the washing is accomplished inthe following manner: A flexible Vhose 3l 'is attached to the upper end of the tube A3'4 yand it's other vend to a water supp-lyV which is fed through the hose 31 and tube 34 and directed through the drum 29 to the 4bottom of thecontainer 35. As rthe'carry- Yingyc'irumilil is provided witha pluralityfof supporting Vfeet 38, the 1bas'e3I of the carryin'gdrum is retained in spaced relation with the bottom of the container, and the flow of water is directed between the bottom of the container and the underside of the base 3l and around the wall 30 of the carrying drum. The base 3| of the carrying drum 29 is provided with a plurality of relieved portions 39 which permit the water to rise between the container and drum to immeise the film.

The container 35 is provided near its top portion and on opposed sides thereof with openings 40 through which the water may flow to exhaust the surplus thereof, and providing means for a continuous circulation of water within the container. The openings 49 in the container are located in a position to maintain a Water level above the film to immerse the same to rapidly and thoroughly wash the film.

After the film has been thoroughly washed, it is then placed into a xing bath and this bath may be arranged in the same manner as when developing, that is, the water may be poured out of the container 35 and the fixing solution poured therein or the carrying drum 29 may be bodily positioned into a like container for the fixing process, and also the final washing operation may be accomplished in the same manner as above described for washing the film after the developing operation. During the washing process of the film, it will be noted that the openings 49 in the container 35 are relatively small and retard somewhat the outer flow of the water thereby permitting the water to be forced around the lm and in effect, crowding to wash the same for a thorough cleaning process.

The frame I is capable of supporting more than a single nlm at one time during the developing and finishing processes and in order to accomplish perfect' results during this operation, the frame straps are arranged in a resilient manner, as indicated in Figs. 11 and 13. In Fig. 1l, the straps are designated as I8a and are arranged in two sections that are in sliding relation with respect to eac-h other, and a tension spring 4I is interposed between the free ends |81) of the strap members I8a for urging them outwardly. In this form, the lm A is first wound on the film carrying frame I5 in the manner as above described, and then a flexible semi-circular member 42, the length of the tubular members I6 and Il and provided with a plurality of apertures 43 therein, is placed over each of the tubular members IG--II and the ends a of the straps I 8a extend through the apertures 43 and the body of the semi-circular member 42 then rests on the loops Illa of the straps IBa retaining the members 42 in spaced `relation with the wound film A. When the members 42 are in this position, a. second hlm designated as B, is wound on the frame over the opposed semi-circular members 42 which support the film B in spaced relation with the hlm A, and this film B is also guided between the projecting ends 20a of the straps I8a.

The purpose of providing a member 42 adjacent each of the tubular members I6 and I'I is for spacing the two films A and B, and the tension spring 4I serves to maintain a constant outward pressure on the straps I8a to urge the tubular members I 5 and Il and the semi-circular members 42-42 against their respective films A and B, so that when they are immersed in the solution which naturally softens the films, their tendency is to yield or stretch and the tension of spring 4I serves to keep them taut and free from frictional contact with each other, and permits of the circulation of the solution around both of the films.

After the developing, washing, fixing and again Washing processes of the film, the carrying frame I5 is removed and the connectors 28 are removed to release the abutting ends of the film carrying frame I5 which again assumes a relatively straight position, and it may be suspended in any suitable manner for the drying of the film, the same being true of a single or double film on the same frame.

It will be noted that the film when once applied to the carrying frame I5, remains thereon during the entire developing process up to the time that the film is thoroughly dried before it is removed, and in this manner, eliminates the handling and possibility of cracking, bending, or otherwise scraping the film, and further providing for a thorough, complete developing process with a relatively small amount of effort and expense. Also, the amount of chemical used for the solution is reduced to a minimum by reason of the carrying drum displacing the solution within the container.

In Figure 14, a modified form of film carrying frame is shown. This frame I5a comprises a plurality of sections 44, 45 and 46 which are adapted to be bent or flexed and joined together to form a cylinder in the same manner as that shown in Figure 3.

In this instance, the frame [5a is constructed of individual sections on each of which a film may be coiled, and then the sections are bent and assembled to form a complete unit and the abutting ends of each section are connected by means of a connector 28. In this construction, it is possible to coil short lengths of film on each of the sections and to put them through the developing and washing processes and then separate the sections to dry the individual films on their respective sections.

vThe lms may be arranged in overlapped relation by utilizing a semi-circular member 42 of the same length of each of the sections 44, 45 or 46, and when the sections are separated, they may be separately handled to be dried.

I claim:

1. A motion picture film developing apparatus comprising a lm carrying frame having spaced apart parallel flexible members, a series of strap members between the said flexible members retaining them in spaced relation and with the ends of said strap members projecting outwardly of each of said flexible members and adapted to receive a film therebetween, and a plurality of relatively short strap members on each of said flexible members and positioned between the series of strap members, the last-mentioned strap members being arranged for bodily swinging movements and for longitudinal adjustments on said flexible members whereby to adjust them for various widths of films.

2. A motion picture film developing apparatus comprising a substantially rectangular lm carrying frame having spaced apart parallel members, a series of strap members on the parallel members and having outwardly projecting p0rtions betweens which the film is coiled, said series of strap members being swingable and slidable on the parallel members for adjustment to accommodate for various widths of films, said frame being adapted to be bent to form a cylinder and with its ends in abutting relation, and means for securing the abutting ends of said frame whereby the frame and lm may be retained in y with the film for receiving a second lm coiled thereon, said frame and flexible members being adapted to be bentin the form of a cylinder with said first Vand second-,mentioned lms thereon, and means for securing the opposed ends of said frame together.

4. Armotion picture film developing apparatus comprising a rectangular frame on which a lm "is adapted to ybe coiled, said frame comprising a pair .of spaced-apart .parallel members, a series 'of strap members between the said pair of members, each of said strap members being composed of Vtwo portions connected for longitudinal sliding movements, spring means coacting with said portions to `urge the flexible members apart and vfor maintaining a constant tension on the lm coiled on said frame, and a plurality of relatively short strap members on each of the parallel members and positioned between said rst-mentioned' strap members for receiving the film therebetween, said short strap members being swngable and slidable on the parallel members whereby to adjust them for various widths .of

OTTO G. GESE. 

